INTERVIEW w/ hip hop artist Swayze Jones + videos

BIO: “In a time full of young aspiring artists claiming to be the next one to blow Swayze Jones rise to the top reflects a story with a different approach; quite refreshing in tone and nature. The DC born, Maryland bred female emcee got her first introduction to the art of Hip Hop at just the age of nine. Her older brother, who she calls Weezy, introduced her to artists like Common, Nas, Talib Kweli, Big Daddy Kane, Mos Def, and plenty more. Soon after this introduction, Swayze grabbed the pad and pen and fell in love with the endless possibilities of mixing creative imagination with rhythm and rhyme. However, she did not see it as being something she was good at until she got to high school. Rapping with her local crew CL Clique, she began to gain notoriety from her peers; it was not long before people could see that there was something special about her skill and passion. It is believed soon after that, Swayze saw it too. Working hard and staying focused, Swayze has made herself quite the topic of discussion; doing things not usually done by female emcees. Audiences have seen her get on the turntables, behind the beat machine, and even the keyboard while rapping all during live shows.

If Swayzes sudden presence did not surprise the haters, their doubts were quickly discredited when Swayze got recognition from one of the greats, making her debut appearance on Chuck D’s radio station for her song Politics at its Best in 2010. In addition, she was recognized as a winner by Warner Music Group, Nikon and Talent House in the Warner Sound Captured by Nikon competition (for the event held at the world famous SXSW Festival). Dedicated and driven, Swayze Jones has made major moves and does not plan to stop anytime soon. When she is not in the studio recording music or working the boards, she is out filming and editing music videos and promotional visuals for clients. Jones has directed and featured in commercials exclusively for her sponsors DMV Heat Energy Drink and NoNameBrand, SATIVA; lifestyle apparel. Her music touches on everything, from good vibes to personal pain to everyday struggles that many can relate to. Staying true to the smokers lifestyle, it reflects not just Swayze Jones’ capabilities as an artist, but who she is as a person.

B: A photographer, a videographer, an artist and more. You are a person of many talents. How did this come to be?

I guess some talents are God given. I am not so sure how or why those came to be (laughs). But for those talents I am truly grateful. There is just a thrill I get in learning new skills…for some reason it excites me. At some point I started surrounding myself with people that were already where I wanted to be in life…I started studying…learning from them and applying it. It didn’t matter what role they played. If they had a skill I knew I could grow from, then it became a skill of mine too, (laughs). I also stopped telling myself I couldn’t do things. I would see something I wanted to learn and take the time out to learn it…even if that meant hours and hours of reading or taking notes from tutorials; or however I chose to do it. You try new things, you fail and you try again. If I wanted to learn it, I had the discipline to keep trying and achieve that goal.

B: What drives and inspires you?

Love. Love is so powerful. Love conquers all. I love what I do. I love the people that help me do it and those who support what I do. I love my downfalls because I love the growth. I love all of the fans and the way they make me feel. I love how it feels to inspire others. I love the change it brings. I mean seriously, I could just go on and on but you get the idea. (laughs).

B: What project are you currently working on?

Right now I am working on another EP. I won’t release the title yet but its another classic of course! And as always I am currently working on various film projects.

B: What collaborations are you most proud of?

There are really too many to name and rank in order to chose what I am most proud of. I have watched so many people I worked with and shared stages with even back in college, succeed in major ways and it always makes me super proud.

B: You have a lot of art on your arms, Who is your tattoo artist?

I love my ink! I have a few tattoo artists that have worked on me. Chris, from Konkrete Jungle Kustom Tattoo, in MD. He has done most of my body. I also had Matt, from Golden Spriral in NC, do a piece on my right forearm. And last but not least an old friend named Haley did my chest piece in college. Those are the only three artists to do major work on me.

B: Who’s the special person in your life?

If I allow you to be in my life then you are special and shall be treated as such (laughs). No but seriously there is no one special person in my life…everyone has their own special place in my heart.

I truly enjoyed my time at Bonfire. I love it because the audience is always so dope. When I was on stage it felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be right at that moment in time. It felt like I was reminded of what I do this for and who. I couldn’t ask for a better feeling.

Swayze Jones recently played the Sweet Auburn Music Fest’s “The Music Walk of Fame on Auburn Ave” – video below. Check out her website for info on upcoming shows.